Tickets to Syracuse premiere of Ernie Davis movie go on sale Friday

Dick Blume/The Post-StandardLaura Maroney (in the foreground), James Buck, of J. Buck Painting (center, under ladder), and Raphael River (in back, on ladder), paint the front of the Landmark Theater, Syracuse, in preparation for the Sept. 12 Syracuse premiere of "The Express," a movie on the life of former Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis.

Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse University announced today that tickets to the Sept. 12 Syracuse premiere of "The Express" movie will go on sale Friday.

The movie is based on the life of former SU football star Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Actor Dennis Quaid plays legendary SU coach Ben Schwartzwalder and Rob Brown portrays Davis. Both actors have committed to attending the premiere, as did Jim Brown, Floyd Little and members of the 1959 national championship team.

"The Express" opens in theaters nationwide Oct. 3, but there is a chance for the public to see the premiere at the Landmark Theatre on Salina Street.

Tickets that go on sale Friday include:

* $1,000 level: ticket holders will walk the "orange carpet" along Salina Street; enjoy a floor seat at the screening; receive a special gift pack; and have access to the VIP area at the '50s-themed post-premiere party at the Onondaga County War Memorial.

* $500 level: loge seating for the premiere and admission to the post-premiere party.

Tickets at these three levels may be purchased by phone at 866-933-3334 (toll-free). Phone order hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. A portion of the cost of these event tickets will be tax-deductible.

If you don't have the cash for those tickets, there will be 200 tickets on sale for $44 each. Those tickets will go on sale 8 a.m. Monday at the Carrier Dome Box Office. In-person purchase is required. There is no phone or online sale of these tickets. Ticket sales are limited to two per person.